Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, is the time for us to pay homage to those who have died defending our country. Not only did those brave souls give all, so did their families.
Over 7000 Americans have died in serving our country during the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars. Five times that many Americans have had life altering injuries.
A special tribute goes out to those local heroes who gave all and to their families.
I would like to chime in to honor those who sacrificed their lives in defense of our country and way of life. The courage and sacrifice of Americans who fought in places like Normandy, Iwo Jima and Vietnam have inspired the current generation who fought and died in Iraq and Afghanistan under conditions no less horrible. There sacrifices should never be forgotten.
But this past year seemed different in that there were seemingly more attacks against schools, at public events, and within our communities in direct but cowardly attempts to generate fear and insecurity among the American people. These attempts mostly failed to create the desired effect in no small measure due to the inspiration and heroism of first responders and teachers. So I would also like to recognize teachers and first responders who showed great courage and unwavering service to others, even under the direst of circumstances. Their sacrifices should be honored and remembered as well.
Kelly, thank you for responding to the Memorial Day tributes. I try to do something to recognize those who gave all every Memorial Day and I was a little pouty over no responses.
You get MY hero award for the special mention of teachers and first responders. Thanks, Kelly!!!!!!!
George has written a special piece tomorrow for those who have given ALMOST all. I am putting it up after the PBS Memorial program on the Mall.
The Memorial Service on the mall honored some of the Boston cops for their acts of heroism during the trying times of the Boston Marathon bombings. You could see some of them choking up over the tribute. Basically, public servants aren’t used to being genuinely recognized and thanked. It makes us cry.
“There” at the end of the first paragraph should be “their.”
I was reading the comments section under the Rolling Thunder article in the online Washington Post this morning, and it is obvious that many from the post draft generation have no clue what it is all about. All they see is a bunch of bikers clogging up the roads, and making a bunch of noise. So that’s what it’s come to in a nation with an all volunteer service. The general public no longer has any military obligation to the nation. No fear that a loved one may one day be asked to put their life on the line for their country. Therefor they have no understanding what events like Rolling Thunder mean to those who were called and did put their lives on the line for their country. Memorial Day indeed has an entirely different meaning for those who have served, and apparently very little meaning for many who will never be obligated to serve. Keep rolling Rolling Thunder, and to hell with those that have no understanding!
Have a grateful Memorial Day!
Second Alamo, I hope you left a comment. It is up to us, you and me, to make sure those who came after the draft know what it was like for our generation. How are they supposed to know if WE don’t tell them?
All of us from that era need to make sure we continue to educate. The Vietnam War was also the cause of that all-volunteer army coming in to being.
SA, I have one correction I am sure you will agree with–no one was ASKED back in the day. They were TOLD they were giong to put their lives on the line for their country.
People like you, Wolverine, Censored, George, BS, me all have a duty to educate. Who did I leave off?